Inside Kalvin Phillips’ relationship with Man City boss Pep Guardiola

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Published on 2024-01-25 11:43:35

Football insider Fabrizio Romano has given an inside look at Kalvin Phillips’ relationship with Pep Guardiola as he nears his departure from the Etihad Stadium. Phillips, 28, is set to leave Manchester City just 18 months after joining from Leeds United for £42 million due to a decrease in his playing time in the midfield.

It is expected that West Ham United will finalize a deal with the Premier League champions on Thursday, with Phillips moving to the London Stadium on an initial six-month loan deal and the option for the London club to buy him in the summer.

Rumors have circulated in the press about a strained relationship between Phillips and Guardiola, leading to Phillips falling down the midfield pecking order. However, Fabrizio Romano, in his daily briefing on Thursday, debunked these rumors, stating that the relationship between Phillips and Guardiola was actually very good. Romano clarified that Phillips remained professional despite being benched, and Guardiola was pleased with his behavior.

Although Manchester City may reassess their position on Phillips during the summer transfer window if he excels under David Moyes at West Ham, a permanent move away from the club seems most likely at this point. City’s transfer chiefs are expected to recruit midfielders in the summer to address concerns over depth in defensive midfield and more advanced roles in the squad.

Overall, Romano’s insights shed light on the dynamics of Phillips’ relationship with Guardiola and the likelihood of his exit from Manchester City. Despite some tense moments, the overall portrayal is that it was not a negative relationship. The developments around Phillips’ future and Manchester City’s midfield plans will be closely watched in the upcoming transfer window.

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